rattle noise - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

tuanle16 · 10-07-2010, 09:03 PM

I hope someone out there can help me diagnose this problem. When I drive, I hear a rattle noise coming from the right rear side of the car. Most pronounce when the window or top is done and driving by a wall. It sounds like a loose tin can. It is most prominent when at 2-3K RPM. Not noticeable at lower RPM and maybe there at higher but drown out by the engine. It's annoying. Makes the car sound "cheap". I have taken it to many mechanics and even the dealership. They say that it is the normal sound of the car. It is one of the valves opening. REALLY? To me, it does not sound normal. Car drives fine, but just annoying sound. I even had the car jacked up and hit around everywhere with a hammer to see if I could reproduce it, but no luck. And rarely does it rattle when in park and reving the engine. Only in motion. HELP.

sd_boxster · 10-07-2010, 09:20 PM

1) Loose heat shield. This is pretty common. Get it up in the air and poke around until you find the one that's rattling.
2) Catalytic converter is shot and you have chunks rattling around in your exhaust.

My money's on the heat shield...

tuanle16 · 10-07-2010, 09:22 PM

i agree. that is exactly what it sounds like to me too. but again, i did get it up and banged around. could not locate it. i also knock around the cats and exhaust and pipes..no luck.

jhandy · 10-08-2010, 08:41 AM

if it is more of a clunky rattle, then look to the lower track arm (199$) often goes out, the plastic bushings go bad where it bolts to the frame. If it is a tinny rattle, then heat sheild. heat shield often make noise also with the car still and reving the motor.
driving about 10 mph over cobble stone road is the easiest way to hear the track arm.

Highlow · 10-08-2010, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuanle16

I hope someone out there can help me diagnose this problem. When I drive, I hear a rattle noise coming from the right rear side of the car. Most pronounce when the window or top is done and driving by a wall. It sounds like a loose tin can. It is most prominent when at 2-3K RPM. Not noticeable at lower RPM and maybe there at higher but drown out by the engine. It's annoying. Makes the car sound "cheap". I have taken it to many mechanics and even the dealership. They say that it is the normal sound of the car. It is one of the valves opening. REALLY? To me, it does not sound normal. Car drives fine, but just annoying sound. I even had the car jacked up and hit around everywhere with a hammer to see if I could reproduce it, but no luck. And rarely does it rattle when in park and reving the engine. Only in motion. HELP.

I have the exact same noise and it bothers me too.

However, I had a 2010 boxster for a loaner and it made a similar noise so I'm not worried about it anymore, but I still don't like it.

Where can I find the heat shields?

JTP · 10-08-2010, 11:51 AM

I didn't notice a rattle noise even driving in a parking garage with top down. But, I drove my car once with the engine cover off and noticed a loud tinny rattle like a loose heat shield. Not too worried about it though.

tuanle16 · 10-10-2010, 07:27 AM

i don't have a jack, but i crawled up under where i could. i see the protection plastic guards. but where would i find the heat shields? any pictures out there?

sparker · 10-10-2010, 03:11 PM

Hi Guys,

hate to sound like a total n00b, but can someone please give some step by step instructions on how to check the lower control arm. Sounds exactly like the problem I'm having.

If I put the car up on some ramps, where should I look (or how should I test) to see if these need replacing. And if they do need replacing, where should I buy the parts from?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Sam

Franco · 10-10-2010, 08:35 PM

Hi,

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17795

seningen · 10-14-2010, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuanle16

i don't have a jack, but i crawled up under where i could. i see the protection plastic guards. but where would i find the heat shields? any pictures out there?

basically behind the bumper and above around the exhaust and tranny.

Hope this picture helps.

Mike

tuanle16 · 10-16-2010, 06:09 AM

wow. awesome pic. thanks. unfortunately, mine is not the heat shield. i found it and played with it. solid. no rattle. it also is not the belt. opened up the engine compartment and did not hear the rattle with the engine on and belt turning. frustrating. i think it's coming from the exhaust system, but just can't localize it specifically. when i tap on the exhaust pipes or cats, i can hear it. but just can't find it!!! arrgghh!!